Solved: I Haven't Been Successful on Upwork - Page 2

Susan G · ‎01-17-2021

I really had high hopes for Upwork and have invested in my profile and have sent proposals for several jobs. What I find is that Upwork is no different than any other job board. The freelancer does all of the work, applying in good faith, sending a cover letter, answering questions, only to be ghosted by every client. I really had hoped that Upwork would be different. But it isn't. I find it to be a waste of my time.

Gina H · ‎01-17-2021

Susan G wrote:
I think it's important, but then again communication is extremely important to me.

Why would you value communication, or anything that is "important" to you, from people who don't wish to work with you? I definitely don't care if someone is bad at communication if I'm not going to take on a project with them anyways. Communication is important to me IF they sign on with me. If they don't i couldn't care less.

I'm not saying this to be snarky, I'm just suggesting you let it go because it's not worth dwelling on - focus your energy on how you can grab attention better. Submit as many proposals as you can, make sure they reflect your abilities properly, and when you get more connects just keep going. Eventually you'll get something, but the site is hardly "the same as every other job board". If there are people successfully making a great income on here (there are a lot, i make twice as much here as I do at my full-time job) then it's not a matter of what the site is doing wrong, it's what you're doing wrong. That's meant to be constructive criticism; if you aren't succeeding it is genuinely a fact that you could improve something about your process, such as not understanding which jobs are more likely to result in a hire and being aware of red flags about posts, proposals that sound too templated, etc.

Also if it makes you feel better it gets easier, I send out a round of proposals every two weeks or so, if that. Lately it's been less and less, people reach out to me on their own now and I don't even have time to apply to stuff. So the "work" is hard at first, but improves as you gain more of a reputation.

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Tiffany S · ‎01-17-2021

Susan G wrote:
Yes, just imagine how long it would take to send a quick thanks but no thanks to 30 proposals from people who have invested their time? Probably an hour. I think it's important, but then again communication is extremely important to me.

That's a pretty common opinion among people who have never been in that position. Lost productivity is a real thing, and a lot of people hire freelancers because they are short on time, not because they want to spend a lot of extra time not hiring someone.

Beyond that, it sounds like you may not be aware that many freelancers who get a polite reaction repeatedly respond, begging, cajoling, complaining, making counter-offers, insulting the client, and so on. No contact is far and away the safest path.

And, as Jennifer pointed out, a lot of us really hate pointless messages cluttering things up with "Thanks, your samples look great but..."

Making Upwork work for you is all about streamlining and efficiency. Target, send your proposal, and go on with your life without ever giving it another thought unless you hear back from the client.

I don't know what field you're in, but unless it's quite technical I would not recommend ever spending "a lot of time" on your proposals. 2-3 short paragraphs will typically suffice. I've won jobs with as little as three sentences.

When you look at job postings, ask yourself, "Why would a client hire me instead of the other 50 people who will likely apply?" Focus on the ones where you have a clear answer to that question.

Nemanja R · ‎01-17-2021

What you are forgetting is you aren't the only one that applied for the same job. They already go through a ton of crap cover letters just to find one person that is a good fit for them. Imagine having to send "no thank you" to everyone.

Also dont know how much research you did beforehand, Upwork has 18 MILLION freelancers. You are bit a needle in a haystack. So of course most times you wont get jobs or replies in the beginning.

Petra R · ‎01-17-2021

Nemanja R wrote:
Also dont know how much research you did beforehand, Upwork has 18 MILLION freelancers.

Upwork don't have 18 Million freelancers, and of the rather large base of registered freelancers, only a small minority are active.

That said, the sentiment is a valid one. Every job post gets dozens of proposals, most clients don't even read all of them (what's the point of wasting time on proposals that will never stand a chance) and certainly don't respond to the "Thanks but No Thanks" candidates. Why would they? It wastes their time and the freelancer's.

Susan G · ‎01-18-2021

I had to laugh at your comment on a ton of crap cover letters! I have read through hundreds of resumes and cover letters so I understand what you are saying. Thanks for taking the time to respond.

Tonya P · ‎01-18-2021

Susan G wrote:
Yes, just imagine how long it would take to send a quick thanks but no thanks to 30 proposals from people who have invested their time? Probably an hour. I think it's important, but then again communication is extremely important to me.

You are certainly entitled to your opinion, and in service industries communicating with those you serve remains important. But, I would also suggest that you research inbox overload, the attention economy, and other current topics regarding business and other communications.

Most professionals complain that they spend far too much time each day engaged in communication or admin work and it inhibits their productivity and focus. So, the latest trend is to reduce unnecessary communications. Some of the traditional business communication forms are now considered unncesseary or even rude because they tax people's time.

Balancing providing customer service while not overdoing it a a delicate process.

Virginia F · ‎01-18-2021

Susan G wrote:
Yes, just imagine how long it would take to send a quick thanks but no thanks to 30 proposals from people who have invested their time? Probably an hour. I think it's important, but then again communication is extremely important to me.

Spend a little time looking a various RFPs in different categories - many have 50+ proposals. It is not realistic (or necessary) for clients to respond. They don't expect it, nor do professional freelancers, who leave their bids and move on. As I think someone pointed out, there are many unprofessional people who will harass a client who may reply with a "not interested", because they do not understand how to conduct themselves. Replying automatically opens a message room, and leaves a client open to this sort of behavior.

Successful feelancers practice good communication when they've been awarded a job and are working with a client ... that's when it's important.

Marc C · ‎06-12-2021

I agree it is nice to get an answer when you spent time on your proposal. But, to be honest, you are wasting time trying to bend the platform to your standards and it will only make you miserable. You could be investing this time in something more productive and/or pleasant.

In my experience, the "Thank you, but we chose someone else" does not happen at Upwork, but it doesn't happen anywhere else either. Try sending CVs to a bunch of companies around you and see how many answers you get. Maybe you did answer all of them when you hired someone, but then I think you are the exception that makes the rule, at Upwork and outside of it.

My aim, as a freelancer is to get hired, not to make friends. It's best when I can do both, but the hiring comes first, by far. It is not a perfect world and I have enough troubles on my own to worry about how nice other people are, especially if they are not my clients.

And If you really want advice I also think you should make your profile public so the successful freelancers can have an opinion and actually give you advice on what you could change to have a more attractive professional profile. Only pointing your finger at Upwork and making your profile private may make it difficult, close to impossible.

Bilikisu M · ‎06-12-2021

I know but will you keep doing that until you are stranded with no more funds to apply for a job?

Aliyu S · ‎10-29-2022

Good morning Bilkisu,

I went through your profile and discovered that we live in the same city. Is it okay for me to ask for your contact? I want to learn a thing or two from you.

Tonya P · ‎01-18-2021

Susan G wrote:
I really had high hopes for Upwork and have invested in my profile and have sent proposals for several jobs. What I find is that Upwork is no different than any other job board. The freelancer does all of the work, applying in good faith, sending a cover letter, answering questions, only to be ghosted by every client. I really had hoped that Upwork would be different. But it isn't. I find it to be a waste of my time.

Success as a freelancer requires building on your foundational skill by adding marketing and sales abilities. You cannot see yourself as a talented person looking for someone to place you in an open role. You must see yourself as a business owner who provides a specific service. Then, you must package, price and promote that service.

Zeeshan K · ‎10-29-2022

Hiw can i start can you help me